Gun Charges Lead To Prison Terms For Multiple Defendants

A 37-year-old Newark man will spend the next 23 years in prison after sentencing by a Superior Court judge on weapons, identity theft, and reckless driving charges. Deputy Attorney General Marc Petrucci secured the sentence for Damien Roberts. In November 2016, New Castle County police officers found Roberts unresponsive inside of his car in the middle of the intersection of Route 40 and Brookmont Drive, with the car running and in gear. Officers broke a window to check on the welfare of Roberts, and then ordered Roberts out of the car after noticing a magazine for a firearm tucked under his leg. Roberts gave police a fake name after officers found a 40-caliber handgun in his pant leg. Roberts was barred from having a gun because of previous weapons and robbery convictions. A Superior Court judge sentenced Roberts for his January 2018 guilty plea to Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon, Reckless Driving – Alcohol Related, and Identity Theft, to 23 years in prison, followed by 6 months of either home confinement or work release, then 18 months of probation. New Castle County Police Officers Det. Brian Shahan, Det. Daryl Haines, Det. Jennifer Escheman, Ofc. Paul Ruszkay and Sgt. Justin Breslin investigated the case. DOJ paralegal Donna Lee also assisted in the prosecution.

A social media video showing a 22-year old Bridgeville man with several guns led to a 5-year prison sentence. Deputy Attorney General Kevin Gardner secured the sentence after a guilty plea from Elijah Desir. In October 2017, Desir posted a Snapchat video showing himself with several guns, including holding what appeared to be an AK-47-style assault rifle. Desir cannot possess a gun because of a Reckless Endangering First Degree conviction in 2016. Desir pled guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, and was immediately sentenced by a Superior Court judge to 5 years in prison followed by 1 year of probation.

Deputy Attorney General Mark Denney secured a prison sentence for a Wilmington man declared a habitual offender for his conviction on a weapons charge. In June 2017, a probation officer doing a curfew check on Terrance Jackson, 29, found Jackson outside of his home in the 2500 block of North Washington Street, which was a violation of his curfew. The curfew violation led to a search of Jackson’s home, which turned up a .357 magnum revolver. Jackson, prohibited from having a gun because of past violent felony convictions on drug and weapons charges, pled guilty in January 2017 to Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited. A Superior Court Judge sentenced Jackson to 15 years in prison, with 18 months of probation re-imposed from a 2016 conviction for Drug Dealing Heroin.


Convictions, Sentences For Weapons, Assault, Robbery, Child Pornography

A 41-year-old Wilmington man faces at least 6 years in prison after pleading guilty to weapons charges. Deputy Attorney General Allison Abessinio secured the plea from Robert Johnson. During a fight in September 2016, Johnson stabbed 57-year-old Carl Huggins multiple times in his home in the 400 block of North Church Street in Wilmington. The two had argued earlier in the day. Johnson pled guilty to Assault First Degree and two counts of Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony. A Superior Court judge will sentence Johnson in December and faces 6 to 75 years.

Deputy Attorneys General Anna Currier, Barzilai Axelrod, and William Leonard secured a guilty plea from John Trotter, 42, of Wilmington, after his arrest following an investigation into heroin sales. Paralegal Bridgitt Martin assisted in the case as well. In August 2016, police arrested Trotter when a New Castle County Police SWAT team executed a search warrant at his home in the 200 block of Clyde Street in Wilmington. Earlier that summer, police observed Trotter sell heroin to an informant. Trotter pled guilty to Drug Dealing Tier 4 Heroin, Conspiracy Second Degree, and Possession of a Destructive Weapon. Trotter also pled guilty to Assault Second Degree for a July 2016 arrest for punching his girlfriend during an argument. Social Worker Stacey Murphy assisted with the July 2016 case. Trotter faces between 2 and 40 years when sentenced by a Superior Court judge in December.

Deputy Attorney General Anna Currier secured a prison sentence for a Wilmington man for his plea to robbery and weapons charges. Throughout the summer of 2016, Michael Watson, 29, stole several firearms from his father. In September of that year, Watson robbed the Valero gas station in the 800 block of South Dupont Highway in New Castle, threatening the clerk with a knife. Deputy Attorney General Kelly Sheridan secured a guilty plea from Watson in Superior Court in August 2017 to Robbery First Degree, Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony, Robbery Second Degree and Theft of a Firearm. A judge sentenced Watson to 5 years in prison, followed by 6 months of either work release or home confinement, then 2 ½ years of probation.

A 50-year-old Smyrna man was sentenced to prison and must register as a Tier II sex offender in relation to child pornography charges. In February 2017, members of the Child Predator Task Force conducted a search warrant at Michael Dennis’s home, and found images of children involved in prohibited sexual acts as defined by Delaware law. Dennis pled guilty in August to 2 counts of Dealing in Child Pornography and 2 counts of Possession of Child Pornography. A Superior Court judge sentenced Dennis to serve 6 years in prison, followed by 3 years of probation.


Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police investigation into persons prohibited from weapons possession nets four arrests, large cache of evidence

DOVER – An ongoing investigation into hunting violations by persons prohibited from possessing weapons by prior criminal history or court actions led to the recent arrests of four men and the seizure of more than 50 weapons, ammunition and other evidence, DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police announced today.

Taken into custody in the ongoing investigation and arraigned to await trial were:

  • Michael E. Dewey, 53, of Wilmington, was arrested and charged with one count of possession of a firearm/ammunition by a person prohibited, six counts of possessing and/or transporting an illegally taken antlerless deer, six counts of possessing and/or transporting an illegally taken antlered deer and one count of possession of unlawfully taken game. Eight firearms and ammunition, one crossbow, approximately 50 pounds of venison, various antlered deer mounts/racks and one mounted duck were seized as evidence. Dewey was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 2 in Rehoboth Beach and released on a $10,500 unsecured bond pending a court appearance at a later date. Evidence seizure by Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police in persons prohibited from possessing deadly firearms investigation
  • Christopher A. Griffin, 24, of Wilmington, was arrested and charged with one count of possession of a firearm/ammunition by a person prohibited, one count of unlawful use of a quality buck tag, two counts for failure to tag antlerless deer, three counts of failure to tag antlered deer, four counts of possessing and/or transporting an illegally taken antlered deer, six counts of possessing and/or transporting an illegally taken antlerless deer and two counts of the possession of unlawfully taken game birds. Seized as evidence were 36 firearms and ammunition, four crossbows, approximately 100 pounds of venison and duck meat and various antlered deer mounts/racks. Griffin was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 in New Castle and released on a $4,500 unsecured bond pending a court appearance at a later date.

  • Jeffrey D. Callahan, 53, of Newark, was arrested and charged with one count of possession of a firearm/ammunition by a person prohibited, eight counts of possessing and/or transporting an illegally taken antlerless deer, four counts of possessing and/or transporting an illegally taken antlered deer, one count of possession of marijuana and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. Four firearms and ammunition, one crossbow, approximately 100 pounds of venison, various antlered deer mounts/racks, approximately 11.1 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia were seized as evidence. Callahan was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 in New Castle and released on $3,750 unsecured bond pending a court appearance at a later date.
  • Gary L. Grose, 50, of Townsend, was arrested and charged with one count of possession of a firearm/ammunition by a person prohibited, two counts of possessing and/or transporting an illegally taken antlerless deer, one count of possession of marijuana and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. Two firearms and ammunition, one compound bow, one crossbow, approximately 15 pounds of venison, various antlered deer mounts/racks, approximately 7.5 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia were seized as evidence. Grose was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 in New Castle and released on $5,500 unsecured bond pending a court appearance at a later date.

To report a person prohibited from possessing deadly weapons who is illegally engaged in hunting, the public is encouraged to contact Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Hunting/Pages/OpGameTheft.aspx.

“Under Delaware law, persons whose criminal and legal history includes prior felony convictions, misdemeanor convictions associated with violent crimes, drug convictions, mental conditions as defined under the law or court-issued protection from abuse orders (PFAs) are prohibited from possession of ammunition, firearms and other deadly weapons,” said Cpl. John McDerby Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “This prohibition means they cannot be in possession of hunting weapons, including bows or crossbows, shotguns, muzzleloaders or any deadly weapon or ammunition used for hunting.”

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting and boating laws and regulations. Citizens are encouraged to report fish and wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Hunting/Pages/OpGameTheft.aspx.

Media Contacts: Cpl. John McDerby, DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-354-1386, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 45, No. 122


Marijuana and Assault Rifle Seized During Traffic Stop

While traveling in the area of Peachtree Run in Camden, Delaware, a Division of Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement Agent stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. The operator of the vehicle Matthew Trently, 22, of Magnolia was found in possession of an AR-15 assault rifle with a loaded 20 round magazine, brass knuckles, and 106 grams of suspected marijuana along with additional drug paraphernalia. Agents seized the rifle and marijuana along with a small amount of cash. He was placed under a $13,300.00 unsecured bond pending future court action on the above stated charges.

M Trently 9-26-14

SUSPECT:
Matthew Trently, 22 of Magnolia

CHARGES:
Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver with an Aggravating Factor
Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited
Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Fail to Wear a Seatbelt

BAIL:
$13,300.00 – Unsecured

LOCATION:
US 13 & Peachtree Run, Camden


Tobacco Investigation Leads to Drug Arrest

New Castle — A 54 year old New Castle man faces drug and weapons charges after an investigation of tobacco sales by agents with the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement at a convenience store.

On February 7, the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement (DATE) conducted undercover buys of unsealed cigarettes. While at T2 Food & Gas, located on Moores Lane in New Castle, the store manager sold a loose cigarette to an undercover DATE agent which is prohibited by state law. After arresting the manager and while conducting an inspection of the store’s tobacco products, Agents located a large bag of marijuana and a loaded .357 magnum in plain view behind the counter. Agents then obtained a search warrant for the business and seized 86 grams of marijuana, some of which was packaged for resale. The pistol and over $200 in cash was seized as well.

The store manager, Sher A. Khan, was charged with Drug Dealing (Possession with Intent to Distribute), Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Advertisement of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Distribute Tobacco Products Unsealed by the Manufacturer. In addition, Khan was also found to have four outstanding capiases for his arrest for unrelated crimes. Khan was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court #11 and incarcerated under a $5,700 secured bond.